Slide fastener



LA MOINE` E. JOHNS ETAL SLIDE FASTENER Filed Jan. 6, 1959 April 24, 1962 Tlc'l- INVENTORS United States Patent f 3,630,684 SLIDE FASTENER La Moine E. llolms, Westfield, and Max F. Johns, Newark,

NJ., assigner-s to Conmar Products Corporation, Newark, N .J a corporation of N ew Jersey 'Filed `ian. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 785,169 4 Claims. (Cl. 24 205.11)

This invention relates generally to a slide fas-tener and, more particularly, to a separable slide fastener having a separable bottom stop assembly.

The primary aim and object of the present invention is the provision of an improved separable slide fastener which is eminently suitable for low cost mass production. Separable slide fasteners are characterized by the provision of separable end assemblies, including a socket portion on one Stringer for receiving a pin on the other stringer. The pin and socket portion may be of diecast 0r molded construction, or may he formed of metallic stampings. In the latter case, the socket portion is usually formed by assembling a clip to a stud. Such heretofore Iused separable slide fasteners generally have the tape ends in the region of the bottom stop assembly reinforced, and such reinforcement has taken the form of reinforcement strips and devices applied to the tape ends or by extensions of the assembly components with supplementary securing means, al of which are complex and/or expensive to fabricate and assemble. Pursuant to the present invention, at least the pin member on one Stringer and stud portion on the other stringer `are of one-piece integral construction, having reinforcing structure for the tape ends integrally formed therewith whereby to provide a strong, aesthetically attractive .and low oost bottom stop assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention -the entire bottom stop assembly, including the aforenoted reinforcing structure, is formed in a single molding operation, the pin member of one Stringer and the socket member of the other Stringer being of one-piece integrally molded construction, with the reinforcing structure integrally molded therewith.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in a separable slide fastener of the aforenoted character, of improved means for orienting the slider in its lowermost position against the separable end assembly.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision, in `a separable slide fastener of the aforenoted charaoter, of a novel and improved tape end reinforcement which does not interfere with the normal operation of sewing the stringer tapes to the article or garment into which the slide fastener is to be incorporated.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan View of a separable slide fastener formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the bottom region of the separable slide fastener with the separable end assembly uncoupled;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, on a smaller scale, showing a modified form of separable slide fastener; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged Scale, taken on the line 6 6 of EFIG. 5, the separable end assembly being coupled.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a slide fastener 10 comprising stringers 12 `and 14 having lfastener elements or i Patented Apr. 24, 19S2 ICC scoops 16 clamped, or otherwise suitably secured, to the raised or beaded confronting edges 18 of the stringers, the fastener elements being meshed or unmeshed by means of manipulation of the slider 2d at pull P. Each of the stringers 12, 14 is formed of a flexible narrow fabric tape of intersticed construction, the latter being inherent in the operation of weaving the tape. The stringers are held together at their lower ends by means of a separable end or bottom stop assembly generally designated 22.

The end assembly 22 comprises a pin member 24 on Stringer 14 and a socket member 26 on stringer 12, Said pin and socket members being releasably interengageable to couple the stringers. Pursuant to the present invention, the pin and socket members are each of one-piece integrally molded construction and have reinforcing structure generally designated 28 and 30, respectively, integrally molded therewith and extending therefrom transversely of the stringers adjacent the lower end thereof. The pin and socket members are disposed immediately below the lowermost interlocking elements 16 and said members and the reinforcing structure thereof may be integrally molded in situ onto the Stringer tapes pursuant to any desired molding technique. Thus the pin and socket members may be separately molded in a single molding operation using any desired molding material, for example nylon. A strong -bond between the molded pieces and the fabric tapes is achieved by the ow of molded material into the interstices of the fabric material.

The pin member 24 extends longitudinally of its companion beaded edge 18 from below the end scoop 16' to the region of the lower edge 312 of its companion Stringer, said pin member enveloping said beaded edge. The socket member 26 includes integrally formed stud and socket portions '34 and 36, respectively, the socket portion 36 having an opening 38 dimensioned to receive the pin mem-ber 24 in collateral relation therewith. Co-mmunicating with the opening 38 is a tape slot 40 for the Stringer 14. The bottom stop yassembly is provided with anti-mismesh means comprising a bump 42 integrally formed with the pin member 24 and bumps 44, 46 integrally formed with socket member 26, said latter bumps defining a space therebetween to receive the bump 42 in the -assembled relation of the pin and socket members. Upstanding from bump 46 is a `detent 48 which is interengageable with the lowermost interlocking member 16' of Stringer 14 n the assembled relationv of the pin and socket members whereby to provide a strong positively interlocked bottom end assembly.

Each reinforcing structure 28, 30 comprises a series of laterally spaced longitudinal ribs 50 which extend the major portion of the transverse extent of the stringers on both opposite faces thereof, the ribs on opposite faces being in registry and united through the interstices of the Stringer tapes. In the molding operation the molding material is pressure flowed so as to provide for a flow of molding material through the interstices of the fabric tape so as to unite the oppositely disposed longitudinal ribs 50 through the fabric tape. The longitudinal ribs are interconnected with members 24, 26 -by means of the integrally formed connecting portions 52 disposed on the opposite faces of the stringers. The longitudinal ribs 50 preferably terminate short of the outer edges 54 of the stringers as shown. The portions 52 define track portions for the slider and are preferably of stiffer construction than the ribs 50 to aid bottom stop assembly. The longitudinal ribs 50 have the requisite degree of ilexibility so as to provide for Stringer exibility at the bottom end assembly, and each of said ribs is cross-sectionally camshaped, for example of triangular cross-section having sloping side walls 56 terminating at apex 58 spaced from the plane of the stringers. This cam-shaped construction of the longitudinal ribs provides for the deflection of a sewing needle striking thereagainst into the space 6G between adjacent ribs. ln the normal operation of sewing the Stringer tapes .to the article or garment into which the slide fastener is to Ebe'incorporated, the sewing needle travels along a path longitudinally of the stringers and transversely of the ribs 5), and in the sewing operation should the sewing needle strike a rib 59, it will be deilected by the inclined surfaces S6 of the rib into a space 60 between adjacent ribs whereby the ribs serve to reinforce the separable bottom assembly without adversely affecting the operation of securing the slide fastener into a garment or article. Y

The portion 52 of the socket member is provided with an integrally formed cam-shaped rail 62 which is disposed for coaction with the slider Lil for orienting the latter to upright position on manipulation thereof to its lowermost position against the end assembly 22. More particularly, the lower corner portion 64 of the slider coacts with the inner cam edge 66 of the rail 62 to tilt the slider to properly orient the same to upright position as the slider is moved against the end assembly.

From the above it will be apparent that the pin and socket members are each of one-piece integrally molded construction and have tape reinforcing structure integrally molded therewith, all being formed in a single molding operation and providing a strong, aesthetically attractive and low cost bottom stop assembly. The pin andsocket members have apertures therein as indicated at 68 which are formed during the molding operation in which suitable clamping pins are used to retain the raised edges 3.3 in position.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a slide fastener which corresponds to slide fastener 10, except in the respects to be described in detail below 'the slide fastener 10 comprises pin and socket members 24' and 26', respectively, the pin member 24 corresponding in all respects to the pin member 24 previously described. The socket member 26 comprise a stud 70 having a length and diameter generally comparable to the pin member 24'. The socket member lfurther comprises a metallic clip 72 which is generally U-shaped and which is secured to the lower part of the stud so as to form a socket for receiving the pin member 24 in collateral relation to the stud. The stud 70 includes a recess 74 which is interengaged with the protuberance 7 6 of clip 72 in the operation of securing the clip to said stud. The stud 70 is of one-piece integrally molded construction and the reinforcing structure 36 is integrally molded therewith as aforedescribed. Thus, if desired, the socket member may be constituted by a molded stud '76 and metallic clip 72 this construction requiring the additional Voperation of forming the clip 72 and securing the same in assembled relation with its companion stud 70. ln all other respects slide fastener 1li" corresponds to slide fastener 1Q, having the vnovel features and advantages thereof. From the above it will thus lbe apparent that the socket member may be entirely of integrally molded construction as in fastener 10, or, if desired, the socket member may be of composite construction, being constituted by an integrally molded stud having a separately formed metallic clip '72 secured thereto.

It is believed that the construction and operation of the slide `fastener and the bottom stop assembly of my invention, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will also be apparent that -while `we have shown and described my invention in its preferred form, changes may be made in thel structure disclosed, without departing from the scope ,of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims.

l. A separable slide fastener, comprising a companion pair of stringere each having a row of interlocka-ble fastener elements along one edge thereof, and a fully separable end assembly at one end of said fastener beyond said interlockable elements, said end assembly comprising a pin member on one Stringer and a socket member to receive said pin member on the other Stringer, said pin 5 and socket members each having reinforcing structure extending therefrom transversely of the stringers adjacent said one end, and said pin and socket members each being of one-piece integrally molded construction and having said reinforcing structure thereof integrally molded 10 therewith and united with said stringers to constitute reinforcement portions therefor, said reinforcing structure comprising a series of laterally spaced longitudinal ribs interconnected with said pin and socket members by slider track portions, said ribs and track portions extending a major portion of the transverse extent of said stringers on opposite faces thereof, the ribs on said opposite faces being in registry and united through the interstices of said stringers, said ribs being shaped to deflect a sewing needle striking thereagainst into the space be- 2() tween adjacent ribs.

2. A separable slide fastener, comprising a companion pair of stringers having a fully separable end assembly at the lower end of the fastener, each of said stringers cornprising a flexible fabric tape, said end assembly comprising pin and socket members releasably interengageable to couple said stringers, said pin member being on one Stringer and said socket member being on the other Stringer, said pin and socket members each being of onepiece integrally molded construction and having reinforcing structure integrally molded therewith and extending therefrom transversely of the stringere adjacent said lower end, said reinforcing structure comprising a series of laterally spaced longitudinal ribs interconnected with said pin and socket members by slider track portions, said ribs and track portions extending a major portion of the transverse extent of said stringers on opposite faces thereof, the ribs on opposite faces being in registry and united through the interstices of said Stringer tapes, said ribs being flexible and cross-sectionally cani-shaped to deflect a sewing needle striking thereagainst into the space between adjacent ribs.

3. A separable slide fastener, comprising a companion pair of stringers having a fully separable end assembly at the lower end of the fastener, each of said stringers comprising a flexible fabric tape, said end assembly comprising pin and socket members releasably interengageable to couple said stringere, said pin member being on one Stringer and said socket member being on the other Stringer, said socket member comprising stud and clip portions forming a socket for receiving the pin member in collateral relation to said stud portion, at least said pin member and stud portion each being of one-piece integrally molded construction and having reinforcing structure integrally molded therewith and extending therefrom transversely of the stringers adjacent said lower end, said reinforcing structure comprising a series of laterally spaced longitudinal ribs interconnected with said pin and socket members by slider track portions, said ribs and track portions extending a major portion of the transverse extent of said stringers on opposite faces thereof, the ribs on opposite faces being in registry and having their confronting surfaces united through the interstices of said Stringer tapes, said ribs being flexible and cross-sectionally cam-shaped to deflect a sewing needle striking thereagainst into the space between adjacent ribs.

4. AV separable slide fastener, comprising a companion pair of stringere having a fully separable end assembly at one end of the fastener, said end assembly comprising pin and socket members releasably interengageable to couple said stringers, said pin member being on one stringer and said socket member being on the other Stringer, said socket member comprising stud and clip portions forming a socket for receiving the pin member in collateral relation to said stud portion, at least said pin member and stud portion each being of one-piece integrally molded construction and having reinforcing structure integrally molded therewith and extending therefrom References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Legal Jan. 10, 1933 Zbinden Dec. 3, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 24, 1931 France Mar. 11, 1938 Great Britain of 1939 France Jan. 26, 1940 Switzerland Sept. 14, 1957 

